Draft Recap: Canucks Load Up on Defensive Prospects in 2023

June 30th 2023

Ryan Gurevitz

While it was not necessarily an eventful draft day in terms of blockbuster trades or shocking picks, the Canucks did what was asked of them and had what many would consider a solid draft day. While expectations may be low considering the various draft-day gaffes in recent history (think Olli Juolevi) the Canucks did what was asked of them and addressed the most important gap in their prospect pool. 

1st Round, 11th Overall, D Tom Willander, Rogle BK (SHL J20)

The Canucks started the day strong by continuing a long line of Swedish lineage and drafting RHD Tom Willander with their first pick. Right off the bat, Vancouver had immediately grabbed a coveted right-hand shot defenseman that immediately slots in near the top of their prospect rankings. 

Willander finished the year as the 12th-ranked European skater in the NHL Central Scouting rankings after starting off as a "B prospect." Willander provides a fantastic 200-foot game with elite skating abilities as well as strong passing, composure with the puck, and trustworthy defending. He showed his versatility in the IIHF U18 gold medal game, in which he played over 30 minutes in a 3-2 overtime loss against the United States. 

While many Canucks fans may have wanted fellow Swedish RHD Axel Sandin-Pelikka, Willander provides a very similar skill set and his pick is certainly not the miss that many Canucks fans were so quick to call it on Wednesday. 

3rd Round, 75th Overall, D Hunter Brzustewicz, Kitchener (OHL)

Much like Willander, Brzustewicz is a strong addition to Vancouver's RHD prospect pool who possesses a great transition game and great skating abilities. The 2004-born six-foot-tall defenseman scored six goals and provided 51 assists in 68 games with the Kitchener Rangers this year. His EliteProspects scouting report praises his deception and puck-moving abilities. If these can translate to the NHL, they would provide a massive boost for the Canucks, whose only real puck-moving defenseman appears to be Quinn Hughes.

89th Overall, D Sawyer Mynio, Seattle (WHL)

The Canucks picked up their third defenseman in as many picks later in the third round adding Sawyer Mynio. Mynio provides a strong defensive presence on the left side by being able to stick to attackers and puck carriers and effectively eliminate them from the play entirely. Mynio scored 5 goals and registered 26 helpers in the regular season and 1 goal and 3 assists in 19 playoff games with the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds. 

4th Round, 105th Overall, C Ty Mueller, Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)

This move confused Canucks fans, as Mueller's name does not appear on many draft rankings, and not much has been written about the player. The 20-year-old from Cochrane, Alberta posted 12 goals and 13 assists in 34 college games this year and will likely return to Omaha for his third year in the fall.

107th Overall, LW Vilmer Alriksson, Djurgardens Jr. (SHL J20)

Vilmer Alriksson scored only 12 goals contributing to his 21 points in 43 games for the Djurgardens J20 team this year, but weighs in at 214 lbs and stands an impressive 6'6. While many prospects can be coached for scoring, playmaking, defence etc... the only trait that they cannot learn is size. While this pick may have underwhelmed fans who do their research all the way into the later rounds, Alriksson's ceiling should definitely be higher than where most expect it to be (Get it?).

119th Overall, C Matthew Perkins, Youngstown (USHL)

A product of Balgonie, Saskatchewan and a former Humboldt Bronco, Perkins played his draft year for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL where he registered 44 points in 60 games. Perkins' poise and playmaking ability earned him a spot at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he will play and study for the 2023-24 season and school year.

6th Round, 171st Overall, D Aiden Celebrini, Brooks (AJHL)

The Canucks ended the draft exactly how they started it, with a right-hand shot defenseman. The 2004-born North Vancouver product registered 21 points and 82 penalty minutes in 47 games with the Brooks Bandits this season and is expected to continue next season at Boston University. Like many older brothers, Aiden is currently expected to be outshined by his younger brother Macklin Celebrini, who is the early favourite to be drafted first overall at the 2024 draft. 

Ultimately the Canucks had a productive two days on the floor in Nashville, they did more than enough to address the lack of defensive prospects and provided a variety of playing styles at that. Hopefully, within the next couple of years, Canucks fans can enjoy the fruits of their labour and watch these young men turn into consistent NHL hockey players.